They were hiding behind a large tree, at the edge of a dirt road that had grown quiet. The evening sky was fading into night, and the sound of crickets began to rise from the bushes.
Hana leaned her back against the tree trunk, her breathing still uneven. Her eyes stayed locked on the man standing in front of her.
He was tall. Extremely tall.
His black hair shimmered like silk, slightly tousled by the wind. His eyes—bright blue, exactly like the sharp gaze she used to see from her fat orange cat. His clothes were long, like a robe, embroidered with gold and dark velvet. His shoes gleamed. His entire presence looked like he belonged in another world. Because he did.
And in front of this extraordinary figure, Hana stood in her wrinkled, worn-out clothes, hair tangled from the bushes, and dirt on her knees.
Her head barely reached his chest.
"I... I-I..."
Hana's voice caught in her throat. Her face turned red, eyes blinking rapidly.
The man raised his chin haughtily, arms crossed.
"Why are you staring at me like that?"
"Y-you..." Hana pointed at him slowly. "You're... Chiro..."
Mathien raised an eyebrow. "I am Mathien."
"B-but you... you were my cat... just now... you... uh—"
"Don't say it again," Mathien said, his voice low but firm, eyes sharp enough to cut. "I am not your pet."
Hana quickly covered her mouth.
Her breath was still shaky. But now it wasn't from running. It was because her heart was beating far too fast.
Because Chiro now stood before her as a stranger far too handsome to be real.
And this wasn't a dream.
Hana stood frozen.
Her eyes kept scanning the tall man in front of her—as if still trying to spot triangle ears or that chubby orange tail. But there was none. All she saw was a stranger who looked too perfect: fair skin, towering height, broad shoulders, and a robe that looked like it belonged to a fairytale king.
"Y-you..." Hana pointed with a trembling hand, "...you're not Chiro."
Mathien rolled his eyes. Again.
"I told you. I'm not Chiro. That's the peasant name you forced upon me."
"But you're the cat... and now... how come you turned into some tall guy who looks like Cha Eun-woo in a K-drama?!" Hana slapped a hand over her mouth, realizing just how absurd she sounded.
Mathien closed his eyes. His jaw tightened.
"Who is Cha Cha Woo?" he asked, voice low, flat, and dangerously calm.
Hana raised both hands quickly. "N-no! I mean—I'm just confused! Just now you were fluffy and round, and now… oh God... you're so tall..."
Mathien let out a long sigh. "I already explained. Five times. In simple words. I am the Crown Prince of Valtherion. I wield magic. My body was sealed into a cat by ancient sorcery. But now I have enough energy to restore my form temporarily."
Hana stared at him.
"Huh?"
Mathien massaged his temple. "Good heavens."
"So you really are Chiro?"
"Mathien."
"But really?"
"YES."
"Oh my God..."
Hana touched her own cheeks. "Am I fainting right now...?"
"You're not. I wish you were. But unfortunately, no."
Silence.
Hana slowly looked down, her voice barely a whisper. "So I've been living with a guy this tall all this time?"
Mathien didn't respond. He only looked up at the sky, as if begging the stars for strength.
They finally sat beneath the large tree, Hana's breathing still unsteady.
The grass brushed gently against their legs, the night wind carried the damp scent of earth, and the soft chorus of crickets returned.
Hana stole a glance at Mathien—now seated with one knee up, a hand resting on his thigh, and an aristocratic face that still looked intimidating even in the dark.
"But how did you change?" Hana finally asked, her voice barely above a mumble.
Mathien glanced at her lazily. "I already told you. My power has returned."
Hana blinked. "Because of the salmon?"
Mathien nodded slowly, as if it was the most logical thing in the universe. "Salmon is the purest energy source in this mortal realm."
"Are you serious?"
"Of all the human foods I've consumed, only salmon can activate the magical circulation in my body. Especially fresh. Raw. Whole."
Hana stared at him.
"So I... I'm the reason you turned back like this?"
Mathien looked straight ahead. "Yes."
"Because I bought you salmon?"
"Yes."
Hana held her head in both hands. "I can't believe the key to saving a magical prince was expensive fish."
Mathien turned sharply. "Sacred fish, you mean."
"Yes, yes." Hana gave up, raising her hands.
They sat in silence for a moment.
Hana peeked again at Mathien.
"So you can turn into a human again when your energy's full?"
"Temporarily, yes."
Hana poked at the dirt with her finger.
"And when do you turn back into a cat?"
Mathien didn't answer. But the way he sighed and looked at the stars suggested the answer was: very soon.
Hana looked at him for a while, her expression torn between confusion and awkwardness. The night wind swept her slightly messy hair, and her worn dress fluttered gently.
In front of her sat a prince draped in regal clothes, far too surreal for the world they were in.
"So..." Hana murmured, "you can turn back into a cat, right?"
Mathien immediately turned to her. His gaze was sharp, like her words had deeply offended him.
"What did you say?"
Hana stepped back half a pace. "I just—I'm confused, Mathien! You're so tall and your clothes are glowing… I ride a bike! I can't carry you! People would freak out if they saw you! But if you were a cat again, worst case they'd just say, 'Aww, cute kitty!' you know..."
Mathien narrowed his eyes.
"You want me to revert to that furry form for your convenience?"
"That's not what I meant..."
"You should be honored to walk even one night beside the crown prince of Valtherion."
Hana lowered her gaze. Her fingers twisted nervously.
"I am honored," she whispered, "but I'm also scared you'll be in danger. If someone catches you, or thinks you're weird, I wouldn't know what to do. I'm just... no one."
Mathien looked at her quietly. Her usual clumsy smile was gone, replaced with a small, hesitant expression in the soft light of night.
And for some reason, that made his chest feel tight.
He turned his face away. Snorted once. "Fine."
A glint of magic flickered—and in an instant, his body shrank back into that round, orange, grumpy ball of fur.
"Happy now? I've returned to being a powerless fat cat."
Hana slowly stepped closer, gently lifting him into her arms. She leaned down, her face close to his ear.
"I didn't mean to order you around like some magician, but I also want you to be safe."
Mathien didn't answer. But he didn't move either. He didn't resist. Only his fur moved gently with the rhythm of her breathing—and the night felt just a little warmer than before.
"And that... is the price of someone caring."
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